Forums and Groups
Help and Care facilitate a number of forums and groups which give members of the public a chance to voice their opinions on subjects such as healthcare and opportunities for older people and carers.
In April 2002, the Older People’s Strategy Group (OPSG) was established in Bournemouth and one year later another strategy group was established for Poole, consisting of roughly 20 members in each group. The aim of the strategy groups is to become actively engaged in setting the agenda for services and support for older people in these geographical areas.
Each strategy group meets once a month to discuss issues affecting older people in their region.
If you would like to be involved in a strategy group, or if you have something that you would like raised at a strategy group meeting for them to tackle,
Call Help and Care 0845 4500 418
The overall aim of the Over 50’s Network group is to listen, hear and exchange interests, opinions and ideas regarding health and social issues locally. These will be fed through the Older People’s Strategy Groups, who will then make representation to local councils and NHS on any matters arising.
- To provide a positive image of older people
- To evaluate existing information literate and suggest ideas for improvement so that information is accessible to all
- To create partnerships with a variety of networks and organizations
- To influence policy, provision and practice of services in health and social care, by informing the strategy groups.
- Exploring issues relevant to maintaining independence
Benefits of becoming a member include learning new skills, such as basic IT skills, being kept up to date on new policies, and meeting other members.
The Over 50’s Network influences, evaluates and informs.
If you would like more information about the Over 50’s Network, call Help and Care 0845 4500 418
Help and Care was a Forum Support Organisation (FSO) for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) forums across the South of England for four years. From the 1st April 2008, however Patient and Public Involvement Forums were dispanded following a change in legislation that allowed the creation of Local Involvement Networks (LINks)
Local Involvement Networks are independent networks of organisations and individuals representing the views of local people, to help improve and develop health and social care services.
Find out more...
LINks are financed by the Department of Health and local councils have a statutory duty to make contractual arrangements with a ‘host’ organisation to set up and support the LINks. The contract period will be for 3 years, commencing 1 April 2008.
In Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset and Torbay Help and Care have been contracted as the host organisation and we will be responsible for the establishment, maintenance and support of the LINks in each of those local authority areas.
If you are interested in finding out more about LINks or in registering your interest please email us your details and we will contact you in due course with more information.
Dorset Partnership for Older People Project (POPP) aims to work with older people to develop supportive neighbourhoods where older people can live and receive appropriate, timely help and support to stay within local communities for as long as they wish. [Find out more...]
As part of this, Help and Care have recruited 33 Community Leaders who have received training and support to help bring about change it their neighbourhood through the Community Leadership Programme.
Specifically, they will be able to:
- Influence local providers of services in developing and shaping services that are centred on the needs of older people
- Use local knowledge and experience to identify existing facilities where community resource centres can be established
For more information about becoming a Community Leader [job description]
For more information about Dorset POPP and Community Leaders, call Help and Care 0845 4500 418
For more info view the Dorset for You website.